 | Nine Mile Pond Loop
A 5.2 miles (8.3 km) round trip. Eleven miles (18 km) north of
Flamingo. A scenic trail through a shallow sawgrass marsh with scattered
islands of mangroves. Watch for alligators, wading birds, and an occasional
eagle. Trail marked with numbered white poles. Motors prohibited.
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| Noble Hammock Trail
A 2 mile (3.2 km) loop. Nine miles (14 km) north of Flamingo. This
trail winds through a maze of shady mangrove-lined creeks and small ponds.
Sharp corners and narrow passageways require good maneuvering skills. Enjoy a
"crash" course. Check for low water levels during the dry season. Motors
prohibited. A calm trail on a windy day.
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| Hells Bay Trail
A 3.0 miles (4.8 km) to Lard Can campsite; 3.5 miles (5.4 km) to Pearl
Bay chickee; 5.5 miles (8.8 km) to Hells Bay chickee. Nine miles (14 km) north
of Flamingo. "Hell to get into and hell to get out of," old timers claimed.
This sheltered route weaves through mangrove creeks and ponds to a series of
small bays beyond Lard Can. Trail marked with more than 160 numbered poles.
Motors prohibited from the trailhead to Lard Can. Backcountry permit required
for overnight camping. Pearl Bay chickee is wheelchair accessible.
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| Florida Bay
The distance varies. Opportunities abound! Watch birds (particularly at
Snake Bight during medium to high tide), fish, or enjoy the scenery of the
bay. Visit Bradley Key (during daylight hours only), the only nearby key open
to landing.
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| Bear Lake Canal
A 1.6 miles (2.6 km) to Bear Lake, 11.5 miles (18.4 km) one way to Cape
Sable. Two miles (3 km) north of Flamingo on the Bear Lake Road. Travel along
a narrow, tree-covered historic canal. An abundance of tropical plants and
tree species is visible along the trail. Impassable between markers 13 and 17
during the dry season.
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| Mud Lake Loop
A 6.8 mile (10.9 km) loop from Coot Bay Pond, four miles (6 km) north
of Flamingo. Enjoy a variety of habitats on this loop connecting the
Buttonwood Canal, Coot Bay, Mud Lake, and the Bear Lake Canoe Trail. Birding
is often good in Mud Lake. Accessible from the Bear Lake Trailhead or Coot Bay
Pond. Motors prohibited on Mud Lake, Bear Lake, and the Bear Lake Canal.
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| West Lake Trail
A 7.7 miles (12.3 km) one way to Alligator Creek. Seven miles (11 km)
north of Flamingo. Paddle through a series of large open lakes connected by
narrow creeks lined with mangroves. Good alligator and crocodile habitat. West
Lake is closed to vessels with motors greater than 5.5 h.p. Motors prohibited
from the east end of West Lake to Garfield Bight. Not recommended on windy
days due to exposed, rough waters.
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| Sandfly Island Trip
A 2 1/2 hours round trip (add an hour if travelling against wind and
tides). Add one hour to walk the trail on the island. A marked channel leads
you two miles across Chokoloskee Bay to a mangrove island. Sandfly Island has
a dock and a one mile (1600 m) loop walking trail. To go onto the island it is
best to land on the shore and walk to the trail, rather than attempting to get
out on the dock.
Sandfly Island has a long human history. The island itself is a shell mound
created by Calusa Indians. In the early 1900s European settlers had a home
site, tomato farm, and even a store on the island. Nature has since reclaimed
the island, and virtually no sign of human settlement remains. Before
returning to the ranger station you may choose to paddle around the island;
however, the oyster bar north of the island may be impassible at low tide.
Watch for strong tidal currents south of the
park island.
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| Chokoloskee Bay Loop
A 2 1/2 hours round trip (add an hour if travelling against wind and
tides). A marked channel guides you along the margin of the Ten Thousand
Islands. Mostly open water with a few small mangrove islands. Explore the
small islands, but use caution, especially at high tide. The miniature world
of an oyster bar can be explored at low tide, and dolphins and manatees may be
seen. Wear shoes if you plan on walking in shallow water. This trip is best
suited for novice canoeists.
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| Turner River
A 5 hours. The 8 mile (13 km) trail begins along the Tamiami Trail
(U.S. 41), 1/2 mile west of the H.P. Williams Roadside Park, and ends in
Chokoloskee Bay near Everglades City. The scenery changes from pine and
freshwater cypress forests, to open prairie, to tropical saltwater mangrove
swamp. Use extreme caution in the open prairie, as airboats frequent this
area.
For a longer trip (6 to 7 hours), turn up Left Hand Turner River and go down
Halfway Creek into the boating canal near the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.
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| Halfway Creek and Turner River Loop
A 4 hours round trip (add one hour if traveling against wind and tide).
Put your canoe in at the launch site behind the Ranger Station. Follow the
shoreline east and paddle up Halfway Creek to Turner Lake, then return to
Chokoloskee Bay or the Gulf Coast Visitor Center via Left Hand Turner River.
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| The Wilderness Waterway
Is a 99 mile (159 km) inland water route between Flamingo and Gulf
Coast. The entire trip takes about 7 hours with an outboard motor, or 9 days
by canoe. Numbered markers guide you through mangrove forests, through
Whitewater Bay, and around countless islands. Campsites are available along
the route. A backcountry permit is required
for overnight camping. Permits may be obtained at the Flamingo or Gulf Coast
Visitor Centers.
Boats more than 18 feet (5.5 m) long or with high cabins or windshields should
not attempt the trip because of narrow channels and overhanging vegetation.
Nautical charts are necessary for finding your way in the coastal zone, and
are useful in planning your trip. They may be purchased from area stores, or
from the Natural History Mail Order Bookshelf.
If you are driving to Key West
either from home or after
flying into Miami this is a must side trip.
Clyde's Key West Parks
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